Wheelchairs. Due to construction work in 2018, the venue for the opening keynote and the closing panel Block Z, is accessible from the main campus by wheelchair, but access is complicated. There will be a coach connection if needed. For conference dinner, there will be a coach accessible with a wheelchair. The campus is accessible by wheelchair from all conference hotels, but the access can be complicated. there will be a coach from one of the hotels. This hotel will be specified later when travel information is updated.

Other accessibility needs. When designing signage on campus, conference organizers rely on a way-showing philosophy. In case you have other needs (like sign language interpreter, assistive listening device, of you travel with a service animal), please write to the Mr. Pierre Tam at publicity [at] dis2018.org.

When traveling

If your paper is accepted and you plan to travel to Hong Kong, let the accessibility chair know if you need help in getting from the airport. If a telepresence is needed to guarantee your participation, let him know before the end of May.

When presenting

Conference rooms and speaker booths are accessible by wheelchair and there will be student helpers to assist you.

Air quality

For those with respiratory illnesses, Hong Kong may not be an ideal location since pollution levels may get high under some weather conditions. Check aqicn.org/city/hongkong/. If pollution levels are high, we suggest you to avoid walking outdoors (including nature), and wearing a facemask.

All conference hotels have non-smoking rooms and floors. Ask for one when booking, and do not hesitate to change the room if someone has been smoking there.

Braille and sign language interpretation

The program will be available in braille by the registration desks. If you need help in accessing rooms and toilets, contact Mr. Pierre Tam by the end of May.

If you need sign language interpretation (or simultaneous translation), we do our best to provide it, but this depends on the availability of interpreters. Please contact Mr. Tam by the end of April.

Food allergies and other dietary requirements

Let Mr. Tam know about your possible food allergies. The diet in Canton tends to have hidden sugar, MSG and it is difficult to avoid meat and seafood, but there will be vegetarian options by default.

Getting sick

Hong Kong has a plenty of doctors available 24 hours a day. Please make sure you have health insurance. Medical care is not cheap.

If you travel with a service animal, please contact Mr. Tam by the end of May for information about veterinarians.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a city of 7.5 million people located in the mouth of Pearl River delta in China. It is a special administrative region, which has its own laws, currency, policy and administration.

It is by far the most densely populated high income major city in the world. Its natural setting is spectacular and its climate subtropical.

For those not familiar with humid, subtropical climates: take light clothing with you. Thin linen or cotton is more than enough, but wear layers and take also a jacket or a scarf with you. Aggressive air conditioning turns many interiors in town into freezers.

Getting around Hong Kong

From the airport

Take either a cab or the train to town.

If your hotel is in Tsim Sha Tsui or Hung Hom area close to the conference venues, we recommend a red taxi from the airport. Taxis are reliable and fast and will cost around 250 HK$. The ride should take about 25-30 minutes. An alternative is to take the airport train to Kowloon station and then a cab to your hotel. This option takes maybe 60 minutes.

If your hotel is in Hong Kong’s Central or in Sheung Wan, train is a better alternative. You need an Octopus card for it. In Summer 2017, one-way trip was about 90 HK$. We do not recommend taking a hotel from Hong Kong Island, though, unless you are a Hong Kong veteran. Getting from there to the conference venue takes 30-60 min if you know bus stops, bus routes and interchanges. Without local knowledge, prepare for 90 (very) sweaty minutes.

Octopus card

If you plan to spend time in Hong Kong outside the conference venue, buy an Octopus card. It is a travel card like any, but much more: you can pay almost anywhere with it. Topping it up is easy in metro stations, kiosks, and many shops.

Tips for walking

Hong Kong is compact and looking at the map gives you an impression that it is easy to navigate quickly. It is however a densely layered city in which walkways are often blocked. Learn to use footbridges: they are key to navigation in the city. When trying to locate a restaurant or a shop, write down its address and also a floor. There are buildings that have restaurants in over 20 floors, so you may get lost in the lobby.

On the other hand, if you spend an extra day or two in town, and are fit for hiking in +33C and 80-90% humidity, Hong Kong offers excellent hiking routes over its mountains. Highly recommended! Hiking trails in Hong Kong. . This is something locals do on weekends, unless it is very hot and humid. Unless you are an experienced outdoors person, stay on larger routes to avoid contacts with wildlife.

Taxis and public transport

As a rule, in high humidity and subtropical heat, you want to avoid walking. Cabs are cheap and plentiful, just hail them. They are reliable and pick you up even in the middle of a freeway.

Public transport in Hong Kong is fast and reliable. The metro network run my MTR corporation does not, however, serve the conference venue very well. If you use trains, the best landmark is Hung Hom station, Exists A1 and D1.